Serious business: Magic, playful Howard cut out clowning

A casualty of the local basketball team's new serious side has been the cancelation of "The Magic Show," the pre-game warm-up skit featuring acrobatics by Dwight Howard and Co.

It had a Globetrotter flair to it, complete with pantomime record-spinning, wild nicknames and thunderous dunks by Dwight.

"Well, we're missing our ringleader, anyway," Vince Carter said, alluding to point guard Anthony Johnson, who was not re-signed. "We're in that (serious) mode right now."

Johnson might have been the ringleader as a mock DJ announcing players while pretending to spin records. But when Howard, their best player, decided to be more serious than silly this season, the show was over, much to the delight of GM Otis Smith, an old-school soul.

Howard appears to be a changed man, certainly more business-like in his approach.

His maturity is a welcome sight.

The leaders of recent title teams --- Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan --- have never been described as warm, fuzzy and playful.

What's come over Dwight? Several things.

He's growing up, turning all of 25 in December and (incredibly) starting his seventh season. He's been reminded by Smith, coach Stan Van Gundy, family and critics that --- like it or not --- his legacy is tied to winning a title in Orlando.

Make no mistake about it: The Miami Heat's presence in South Florida ratchets up Dwight's intensity as well as his teammates'.

And then there was last season's embarrassing postseason ouster. Howard found he could turn up his game, even if it was too late to save the Boston series.

"I think that I found another gear in those last few games that I didn't even know that I had," Howard said. "I realized that I could be more of a vocal leader and push myself to an extra level. I'm trying to be more serious now on the court."

Howard had his playoff game-face on in the preseason opener. The Magic have noticed his intensity.

"There's no question he's changed," Van Gundy said. "He'll talk a little in stretching, which is fine, but when we're working he hasn't broken once where he's goofing around. He's very serious about what's going on and that has greatly influenced everybody."

Hmmm. The Magic and Van Gundy in particular, blasted Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix for his cover piece last year that asked the question whether Howard was serious enough. It was titled, "TOO MUCH FUN. Can the Magic's dunk machine get serious for a moment?"

Van Gundy called the story "ridiculous."

Maybe it wasn't.

At the movies with Quentin

F Quentin Richardson is a more than just your average movie buff.

When Richardson is on road trips with the team this season, he said he will end up watching the entire menu of movies in his hotel room.

Action, horror or romantic comedies. Even kids movies.

"I've seen the Princess and the Frog," Richardson said.

This one's too easy

F Brandon Bass did a lot of deep thinking this summer, some of it while holding a fishing rod in the Louisiana bayou.

I asked Brandon what he fishes for, other than compliments from coach Stan Van Gundy.

You probably already know where this is going.

"Bass," he said.

You're telling me Bass fishes for bass?

For a writer, this is a layup.

"Yeah, right, bass," Bass chuckled.

"Bass, catfish. Every time I went out there, I always caught a bass first. But the biggest fish I ever caught was a catfish. And you got to be careful taking them off the hook."

Heat resistance

This week's 3 reasons to hate the Heat:

1. NBA.com GM survey already has them playing in Finals this season.

2. They're on ESPN more than Erin Andrews.

3. Team waived head-band ban for LeBron.

Silent Dwight?

Howard has said he would try not to argue with the refs. Officials just should respond like Dr. Evil does in a scene from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

Dr. Evil is in a heated discussion with his estranged son, Scott, and interrupting all his back-talk with a "Shh!"

Dr. Evil: "Shh! Let me tell you a little story about a man named Shh! Shh! Even before you start. That was a preemptive Shh. Just know I have a whole bag of Shh with your name on it."

Magic News Nuggets

* SF Mickael Pietrus has a player option ($5.3 million) for 2010-11 he can exercise after this season. "I don't know. I want to stay. I love it here," MP said. Might depend on playing time here.

*I asked GM Otis Smith in a variety of ways about whether he talked trade with Denver for Carmelo Anthony. "Do I talk to teams to try to make us better? Of course," he said. That's not a denial, right?

*SG J.J Redick wanted a five-year deal from the Chicago Bulls, but settled for three before the Magic matched. The Redick camp made it known that J.J. was not interested in playing for league doormats.

Read Brian Schmitz' Magic Insider and his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/Magic blog and email him at bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to our Magic newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/join us.